A Day in the Life of a Pregnancy Care Center by Sue Ellen Doenier

Editor's note: This is part three of a four-part series describing life within pregnancy care centers.

A day in the life of a Pregnancy Care Center

      …can be an emotional and spiritual roller-coaster. Each day carries potential for great joy and great loss. 

      Every encounter with a new client brings a unique challenge. There are clients who come once and are never seen again, others who return often for multiple pregnancies; some who listen, accept help, and make life-affirming changes, others who use the system to get what they want. Clients come for pregnancy tests, post-abortion counseling, material help, parenting classes, encouragement, and answers. 

      It’s hoped that each client will be met with compassion, truthful information, and an opportunity to hear about forgiveness and a new life in Jesus Christ. When this truth hits home, there is cause for celebration and deep satisfaction in being part of God’s ministry.

      But often words meant to instill comfort, hope, and insight are met with defiance or apathy. Many clients act according to their own “wisdom” – which can easily lead a volunteer counselor down a path of disappointment and discouragement. When abortions are carried out, the volunteer counselor may be the first or only one grieving loss of life. And volunteers can become prey to false guilt, asking themselves, “What if…” 

      Even with its challenges, volunteering at the center is a good way to gain perspective. It offers a different outlook on life and another reason to be thankful. It presents an opportunity to forge a relationship with someone for whom Christ died. It hones listening skills and strengthens a believer’s ability to share the gospel. In the course of a day, a volunteer is involved in situations where their strengths and flaws surface. How will they handle the temptation to judge someone who’s made ungodly choices? It’s a good way to get to know yourself.

      So who are PCC workers? Are they extraordinary people? spiritual giants? No, they are just sinners, saved by grace, wanting to share the love of Christ, realizing they have been saved to serve, believing that they “can do all things through Christ.” They are people who have their own set of circumstances to deal with, but believe that God is at work through it all to bring His kingdom to earth.